Tuning device

ABSTRACT

Tuning device for tuning a resonating instrument having operating elements which are capable of being tuned. The device comprises a support arm and a series of reeds connected to one end of the arm. A reed cover surrounds the reeds and a clamping device is connected to the other end of the support arm enabling the device to be attached to the instrument.

United States Patent Schneider et al.

[451 Sept. 19, 1972 [54] TUNING DEVICE [72] Inventors: Joseph R. Schneider; Bruce A. Schneider, both of Larchmont, NY.

[73] Assignee: Laser Products 8: Development Corporation, Inc., Bronx, NY.

[22] Filed: Oct. 14, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 80,737

[52] US. Cl ..84/454, 84/456 [51] Int. Cl. ..G10g 7/02 [58] Field of Search; ..84/453-457 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 796,289 8/1905 Brady ..84/454 3,339,446 9/1967 Gantz ..84/456 3,421,402 1/1969 Musser ..84/455 2,779,920 Petroff ..84/456 X 834,416 10/1906 Shutt ..84/454 841,384 l/l907 England ..84/454 2,514,315 4/1950 Dickerson ..84/454 Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-John F. Gonzales Attorney-Pennie, Edmonds, Morton, Taylor and Adams 57 ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures TUNING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ing musical instruments.

In order to obtain the proper sound tone from a musical instrument it is absolutely necessary that the instrument be properly tuned. Whether it be during the group playing of musical instruments, such as in an orchestra, or in a solo performance, it is extremely important that all of the instruments involved in the performance are precisely tuned on an absolute basis. However, achieving this presents numerous difficulties. For example, tuning an instrument properly usually requires a substantial amount of time and is also a laborious function particularly if the person tuning the instrument does not have a very good ear for the various tones.

Various devices for visually tuning resonating musical instruments are well-known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,339,446 illustrates one type of tuning device. The device of the present invention is similar to several of the known resonant reed frequency meters insofar as the visual indication of the tuning is concerned, but it differs from the prior art devices in that its spans a much greater frequency range than other devices and derives its excitation energy from direct mechanical contact with the musical instrument. As to those prior art tuners which, derive their excitation energy from direct mechanical contact with the instrument it generally has been impossible to utilize these tuners for tuning the high frequency strings of the string type musical instruments. Thus, these tuning devices are only capable of tuning the lower frequency strings visually and utilize audible comparison means for tuning the remaining strings. This, however, defeats the whole purpose of a tuning device because in this case it still would require a great deal of skill to make the necessary audible comparison for the higher frequency strings. Additionally the present invention provides for a tuning device which once properly placed on a musical instrument need not have its position changed to properly tune all of the operating elements on the instrument.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a relatively simple and efficient tuning device which avoids all of the difficulties of the prior art type of tuning devices described above and which represents an improvement over previous musical instrument tuners of the inexpensive reed type in that the tuning device of the present invention can provide-a visual indication of proper tones for all the operating elements of a musical instrument, e.g., all of the strings of a guitar, banjo, violin, etc. With the tuning device of the present invention it is now possible for even an inexperienced person or even a child to precisely and accurately tune a resonating musical instrument.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus for tuning a musical instrument having a plurality of operating elements or strings which are capable of being individually tuned to respective and particular tuned frequencies. Broadly stated, the apparatus for tuning a resonating type of instrument comprisesa support arm and a series of reeds connected to one end of the arm. Each of the reeds is characterized by a mechanical resonance corresponding to the particular tuned frequency of a corresponding operating element or string on the musical instrument. When a mechanical force is applied to any of the operating elements or strings, the acoustical energy therefrom is transmitted along the support arm to the corresponding reed of the particular operating element or string causing the reed to vibrate. The reed vibrates at a maximum amplitude when the corresponding operating element or string is at the properlytuned frequency. A reed cover surrounds the reeds in a manner which allows the ends of each of the reeds to be viewed therefrom. A clamping device is connected to the other end of the support arm enabling the tuning apparatus to be attached to the resonating musical instrument.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will now be described in further detail by reference to the accompanying drawings which, for illustrative purposes only, shows a tuning device as used in accordance with the present invention for a guitar having six strings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tuning device;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the tuning device with portions in section, and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 with the housing removed.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The tuning device of the present invention operates on the principal of sympathetic vibrations. Located on the tuning device there are a number of reeds which are at least equal in number to the number of operating elements or strings as found on the musical instrument which is to be tuned. Each reed on the device is constructed for the precise frequency or tune that the associated operating element or string is intended to produce. In operation, the operating elementor string on the musical instrument is first excited. The acoustical energy produced from this excitement is transmitted from the musical instrument to and along the support arm of the device without any significant loss of energy due to the dimensions of and materials used for the support arm. This acoustical energy is transmitted to its associated reed causing the reed to visually vibrate thereby indicating proper pitch. The reeds are capable of useful vibration for a particular frequency as determined by the resonance characteristic of the reed. When proper tuning is effected, for example, when proper tension is applied to a string on an instrument, the energy produced when the string is excited causes its associated reed to vibrate or mechanically oscillate at a maximum amplitude.

The tuning device of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 consists of a support arm 11 which is U- shaped so as to provide easy viewing when the device is fastened to the musical instrument 25. At one end of the support arm is a clamping device 13 which consists of a plate 14, an adjusting screw 15 and a clamping screw 16. Located at the other end of the support arm are a series of reeds 17 through 22 supported on the support arm (as shown in FIG. 3) which are contained within a reed cover 24.

The support arm 11 of the tuning device can be fabricated from any type of material which will transmit the acoustical energy from the musical instrument when mechanically attached thereto, to the reeds 17-22 without any significant loss of energy so that the reeds will vibrate sympathetically in accordance with the frequency of vibration of the corresponding operating element or strings found on the musical instrument. It has been found that certain metals perform this function in the most efficient manner. For example, a support arm formed of brass or steel has been found to be eminently suitable for this purpose. Furthermore, the resonant frequency of the support arm is critical. For example, for the best overall results the support am for a tuning device used for a six stringed guitar should have a frequency spectrum of about 52H, to 82H, A support arm formed of a brass strip having a length of approximately 6 inches, a width of approximately 1 inches and a thickness of approximately five sixtyfourths of an inch has been found to be eminently suitable for this purpose. However, support arms formed of plastic, wood, rubber or any other material which can transmit acoustical energy and which has a proper resonant frequency for the particular instrument, can be used.

The reed cover 24 is preferably made of a light plastic material and in addition to providing protection for the reeds l7-22, also provides a dark background for viewing the reeds as they vibrate. The material which forms the reed cover need not be plastic, but can be any material which does not have a resonance frequency lying within the same range of frequencies for which the reeds are tuned. This will assure that the reed cover will not absorb energy which would otherwise be imparted to the reeds.

'FIG. 2 clearly illustrates how the tuning device is attached in position onthe head portion 40 of the arm 41 of guitar 25. in positioning the tuning device on the instrument the clamping screw 16 is removed from the device and the clamping plate 14 is screwed either up or down as required using adjusting screw 15 to allow the spacing between the clamping plate and the lower plate of the support arm 11 to be approximately equal to the thickness of the end of the guitar arm. The clamping screw is then replaced in the clamp and the device is then clamped firmly on the end of the guitar arm. It has been found that it is preferable to attach the tuning device to an arm of a musical instrument such as a guitar at approximately a 45 angle to the length of the arm.

FIG. 3 illustrates the pertinent features of the reed assembly. The reed assembly comprises a series of reeds 17-22 connected to one end of support arm 11.

. Located on this end of the support arm are slots 26 and 27 used for securing the reed cover 24 and the support arm. Connected to the support arm are a series of six reeds each representing a reed which will vibrate sympathetically at a different frequency which in the particular embodiment found in the drawings corresponds to the six musical notesas found on a guitar i.e., low E, A, D, G, B and high E. Preferably steps 28-33 are provided on the end of the support arm and are so designed to allow each of the reeds to extend past the end of the support arm for a distance which is required to produce the correct frequency tone for each reed. The steps on the support arm are constructed in a manner which allows the ends of all of the reeds to be in the same plane for easy viewing.

Alternatively, the reeds can be connected to a reed plate (not shown) which is then connected to the end of the support arm. The reed plate, as the support arm may be constructed of brass. Advantageously, the construction of the reed plate would be the same as the above described construction for the end of the support arm, namely, a series of steps are provided on the reed plate and are designed to allow each of the reeds to extend past the end of the reed plate for a distance which is required to produce the correct frequency tone for each reed. Similar to this end of the support arm, the steps on the reed plate are constructed in a manner which allows the ends of all the reeds to be in the same plane for easy viewing.

Each of the reeds can be made of any flexible material which will vibrate upon being excited from an outside energy source. Steel reeds having a thickness varying between approximately 0.004 and 0.008 inches are preferably used since these allow for maximum visible amplitude of vibration. The free length of the reed, is basically determined by the particular frequency at which the particular reed is designed to vibrate sympathetically. For example, a steel reed having a thickness of about 0.006 inches and a width of about one-eighth of an inch requires a reed having a free length of approximately 1 34/63 inches in length to produce a maximum sympathetic vibration when excited and corresponds to a frequency producing a low E on a six string guitar. Merely shortening the free length of the reed or changing the reed thickness will cause it to vibrate sympathetically at maximum vibrations of higher frequencies. It has been found that reeds fonned from about 0.006 inch thick steel stock having a width of about one-eighth of an inch and spaced about one-sixteenth of an inch apart produces ideal conditions. The reeds are preferably bent at each end to produce bent ends 34-39 approximately one-eighth of an inch in length and each of the ends are painted white. This will allow for easy viewing when the reeds vibrate upon excitation. Furthermore, the unit can be constructed so that when the reeds vibrate strongly, they strike the reed cover plate. This will produce an audible signal as well as a visible signal when proper pitch is attained.

As indicated above, the various parts of the tuning device can be constructed of numerous different materials. However, the resonant frequency of the reed cover, clamp and reed plate (if used) must be kept below the tuning range of the reeds to prevent selective absorption of acoustic energy.

ln tuning a six string guitar with the tuning device in position, the guitar is supported in a normal playing position with the guitar arm free while tuning. During the tuning operation on the sixth (lower E string), for example, is first loosened two or three full turns. This ensures that the string is tuned at least two or three tones lower than required. Under these conditions the Lower E reed will show little or no vibration upon exerting a mechanical force or plucking the lower E string. As the lower E string is tightened and a mechanical force is subsequently applied to the string the lower E reed will start to vibrate. When the amplitude of vibration of the lower E reed is observed to reach a maximum this particular string is properly tuned. By following the same procedure for each of the six strings of the guitar the entire guitar can be properly tuned.

Although, the invention has been described with reference to it being used with a six stringed guitar, the invention can be used to tune any resonating instrument having operating elements as described. For example, a base guitar, cello, banjo, violin, electric guitar (mounted on either the neck of the guitar or the speaker housing and including a twelve string electric guitar), etc.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for tuning a guitar having six strings each of which are capable of being tuned to respective and particular tuned frequencies, said apparatus comprising a U-shaped support arm; six elongated reeds connected to one end of said arm, each of said reeds characterized by a mechanical resonance corresponding to the particular tuned frequency of a corresponding string on the guitar; a reed cover surrounding said reeds in a manner which allows the ends of each of the reeds to project therefrom, and a clamping device connected to the other end of said support arm said clamping device being removably attached to the head of the guitar.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the resonant frequency of said reed cover, and clamping device is below the tuning range of said reeds to prevent selective absorption of acoustic energy from said support arm.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the end of said support arm to which said reeds are connected includes a series of continuous steps, each of said reeds being connected of one of said steps whereby each of said reeds extends in length for a distance which imparts to each of said reeds a resonant frequency characteristic corresponding to the particular resonant frequency characteristic of each of the corresponding operating elements on the instrument. 

1. Apparatus for tuning a guitar having six strings each of which are capable of being tuned to respective and particular tuned frequencies, said apparatus comprising a U-shaped support arm; six elongated reeds connected to one end of said arm, each of said reeds characterized by a mechanical resonance corresponding to the particular tuned frequency of a corresponding string on the guitar; a reed cover surrounding said reeds in a manner which allows the ends of each of the reeds to project therefrom, and a clamping device connected to the other end of said support arm said clamping device being removably attached to the head of the guitar.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the resonant frequency of said reed cover, and clamping device is below the tuning range of said reeds to prevent selective absorption of acoustic energy from said support arm.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the end of said support arm to which said reeds are connected includes a series of continuous steps, each of said reeds being connected of one of said steps whereby each of said reeds extends in length for a distance which imparts to each of said reeds a resonant frequency characteristic corresponding to the particular resonant frequency characteristic of each of the corresponding operating elements on the instrument. 